How Do Simulated Interviews Increase the Self-efficacy of Medical Students? - Quasi-experimental Research-

Abstract Background Self-efficacy is crucial in improving medical student communication skills. This study aims to clarify whether the self-efficacy of medical students conducting medical interviews increased after simulated interviews or after feedback discussions. Methods A total of 162 medical students (109 men, 53 women) in their fourth or fifth year at a university in Japan participated in this study. The degree of self-efficacy in medical interviewing was measured before and after a medical interview with a simulated patient, and after the subsequent feedback session. Results ANOVA analysis revealed that self-efficacy for medical interviews was higher after both the interview and the feedback session than before the interview. Self-efficacy was highest after the feedback session among all three time points. Conclusions Feedback following a simulated interview with a simulated patient is important to improve the self-efficacy of medical students learning medical interviewing skills.